Osythe was born mid-winter to Cadda, a man born to a Dunlending father and Eorling mother, and Aelwen, a woman of the Hebog-luth. A farmer by trade, and from a long line of local Riders through his mother's side, Cadda frequently set out on patrol with the other Riders of Marton. Upon his return, he would greet Osythe with tales of what he had witnessed, and stories of warriors of old--some, tales taught by his father, and others of the great heroism of Rohan's finest warriors. His young daughter hung spellbound by his every word, and often spent long nights by the fireside begging to hear more. She had a spark of adventure to her, and it was something which Cadda and Aelwen both saw fruit in nurturing. Osythe was raised in a time of considerable peace, working hard alongside her parents until, finally, at the age of thirteen, her father Cadda finally taught her to use a blade for more than reaping barley. 

From that moment on, Osythe was enthralled with any and all acts of swordmanship, training with dedication until she eventually earned the role of Shieldmaiden. She rode alongside the other soldiers of Marton on patrols, and drank at their sides in the hall. For years, her idealism and fervor were met with warless days. But slowly, a new breed of Orc began to appear at their borders. Raids from Dunland picked up along the Isen. And soon, everything she knew was about to change.

When the time came for her Thane, Gladsúnu, to rally his forces at the fords of the Isen, he left only one soldier to guard Marton. Osythe pleaded to march into the battle ahead at the sides of her brothers-in-arms, men with whom she had trained alongside for half her life. At her father’s behest, however, she remained to keep watch over the women and children, a shieldmaiden sure enough, yet never a soldier. All too soon, they witnessed the folly of their Thane. A band of Uruk-hai, sent from Isengard, besieged the town. Under the leadership of the soldier Elstan and the Thane’s young wife, a meager band of survivors managed to escape, seeking refuge in the woods. Although Osythe was counted among them, her mother was lost in the slaughter. Supplies dwindled, and it was not long before Osythe and one of the surviving men rode out to Woodhurst in search of aid. 

They sought hospitality from her cousins, of similarly dunlendish blood. But they were proud of their Dunlending heritage, and supported the Dunlendings, and their ill-forged pact with Isengard—that same force which had robbed her of her parents, and stolen countless lives from the Mark. Osythe’s companion grew mistrustful of her, fearing that she might betray their people if ever the mood may strike her. 

“I am a Shieldmaiden of the Mark,” she cried “And no drop of wealish blood within my veins will ever sway my loyalty.” 

He doubted her words, and refused to let her accompany him back to the refugee camp. And so, Osythe renounced her family once and for all as cowards, who held no Eorling life sacred—not even the lives of their own. And, unable to return to what remained of her town, she was forced to press on from Woodhurst in search of any Lord that would accept her fealty.

She was a woman of Rohan, and she would find someone deserving of her sword.
 

Image Sources:
1. Artwork by Deviantart user Drake1024
2. Artwork by Instagram user Tom Bagshaw
3. Artwork by Deviantart user jcbarquet